Unfortunately Modern medicine takes a very mechanical view of the body and the physiological functions of its organs, but in Greek Medicine and other traditional medical systems, the internal organs are seen as being strongly affected by the emotions.

For example, the heart is very sensitive to emotional states. Uplifting emotions like courage, honesty and compassion strengthen the heart, whereas guilt and remorse weakens it. Love and the emotional will to live are also very important to the heart. According to Greek Medicine it is possible to die of a broken heart. I believe that is true.

In emotional terms, the lungs work closely with the heart, which means the lungs are sensitive and vulnerable to many of the same emotional states as the heart and will respond similarly. The lungs need a feeling of space within which to function. I am sure you will have heard the phrase, ‘breathing room,’ a common expression.

The feeling of being smothered can constrict the lungs and cause respiratory problems. Conversely, a feeling of dignity and pride puffs up the chest and allows the lungs to expand and function properly. Negative emotions that sap the will to live are also injurious to the lungs, especially when grief and bereavement and many chronic respiratory diseases and conditions develop after a major loss or bereavement.

Without knowing it, many of us hold emotions like anger and resentment in our gut or stomachs. If we concentrate hard enough, we can feel the anger in our gut and stomach. Stress, tension, worry and anxiety can cause distension, bloating, colic and stomachache. The colon is also be vulnerable to aggravations and chronic or deeply held worry, anxiety, nervous or emotional stress and tension.

Security issues and deep insecurities may also impact negatively on the colon, since their functioning is intimately connected with emotional security. Emotional problems may often produce disorders like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

Finally, our emotions are not only important to the health of the mind, but also in the longer term to the health of the whole body and in some circumstances may make a difference between a life and death scenario.

8 Responses to “Organs & our emotions”

I totally agree! I believe all of this is true. I think that’s why in older people especially, when one spouse dies it isn’t long before the other follows.

People have been seriously ill with stomach disorders due to stress. It can cause ulcers amongst other things as you have mentioned. I think nervous disorders are a major problem for people with emotional problems.

I became ill after my father died and I know it was stress related and grief. I slept 3 hours straight one afternoon and I felt better. It has been in the news about people dying of a broken heart.

One case in particular that I remember was where a spouse died and then the other passed not long after. The only diagnosis they could come up with was a broken heart. There wasn’t any sign of any other health problems.

That’s why I believe we should get a hold of our mental status and be diligent in how we take care of it. Meditation, yoga and the likes are good exercises to help.

Yes I’m well aware of what my emotions do to my body. If I’m stressed I end up with a knot in my stomach and my intestines feel twisted. When I’m anxious my back muscles feel like they’re being stretched and torn.

There are so many issues that I have from my emotions that it’s hard to remember all of them. I know I just have to stay cool, calm and collected, to avoid a lot of these issues from my body.

This topic has always been underplayed by medical practitioners and will continue to do so, unless something changes. They usually have targets to hit, but don’t seem to concern themselves with the emotional welfare of their patients.

I do believe though if there was more of an understanding between both and more people were educated about how emotions work, practitioners would have less ill people walking through their doors.

I believe there is a link between our emotions, our organs and illness.

I totally believe that some people can worry themselves into sickness. My hubby for example, will worry and then have indigestion or a stomach ache. I in turn will make him some herbal tea, usually one that is good for stress relief and nine times out of ten it works!

I am constantly reminding him that he needs to stop worrying about things that he has no control over. Easier said than done for him, although it seems as though he is worrying a bit less.